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The Progressive People's Party (PPP) has taken a swipe at President John Dramani Mahama, describing his policy statement at a breakfast meeting with representatives of workers' groups and civil society organisations in Accra yesterday as 'diversionary and disappointing.' "None of the president's initiatives would be achieved without a personal commitment... All the talk is just diversionary; the fundamental needs to be tackled and it must begin with the Head of State," stated in a release issued by the PPP shortly after the president's interaction. Signed and issued in Accra by its National Secretary, Kofi Asamoah Siaw, the release said the PPP was disappointed that President Mahama failed to address among other issues "abuse of incumbency; the unfair coverage by state's owned media of political parties' activities, and the lack of inclusiveness in the award of contract which present a barrier to unity." And even though the PPP said the president's statement was geared towards maintaining peace, it was quick to add that "you cannot have true peace without leaders who exhibit honesty, integrity and transparency by their actions. Therefore the PPP is also dismayed that the president has refused to show a basic commitment to the principles of incorruptible leadership by agreeing to publicly disclose his assets, tax returns, health status and sources of party funding when he officially files nomination, papers to become a presidential candidate in the 2012 Elections." "The PPP welcomes the president's call to reduce the concept of the winner takes all mentality and encourage the participation of other political party representatives in national programmes and reduce the politicization of national events by the party in government," the statement said. However, the PPP was dismayed that President Mahama failed to introduce pragmatic measures to tackle corruption head on. "The PPP, was hugely disappointed when the president conveniently avoided the issue of separating the Attorney-General from the Minister of Justice. The president repeated the usual platitudes of fighting corruption and ensuring accountability by strengthening investigative institutions. The report of the State's investigative bodies will always end up with the AG's Department and an unwilling Attorney-General will refuse to act on it." To this end, the statement urged Ghanaians to reject any presidential candidate who is unable to make direct personal commitment to electing DCE�s and publicly declaring their assets. It further said what Ghana needs is a 'bold leadership and commitment' to the following' PPP proposals: "Introduce amendments to the 1992 Constitution that will make three critical, changes for progress in Ghana; prohibit Members of Parliament from being appointed as Ministers of State; return the power to the people for all Ghanaians to directly elect their district, municipal and metropolitan chief executives without any interference from the President and strengthen the office of Attorney-General by separating it from the Ministry of Justice; make available to the public asset declarations, income tax returns, health records and sources of campaign funding before the December 7th elections, and; Conduct a campaign to prove competence and ability to offer solutions to the nation's numerous problems. On education, the statement said President Dramani Mahama said nothing new, but only affirmed his previous view of expanding access and doing what is pragmatic and practical in the face of the financial commitment that needs to be made in educating all Ghanaians. "The PPP wishes to remind the president that the constitutional provision that makes basic education FREE and COMPULSORY is possible and cannot be continuously violated. It is an act of injustice to exclude any child from getting basic education. The PPP's education policy is Free, Compulsory, and Continuous Education (FCCE) from Kindergarten to Senior High school is possible. The only thing that is required to achieve that objective is leadership and personal commitment." The PPP was equally not happy that President Mahama did not go far enough to make a commitment to support the Ghanaian manufacturing industry. "We would want a bold initiative that protects local industries form 'cheap imports. An introduction of tariffs, quotas and other measures are practical enough to ensuring that we protect the market for our manufacturing industry. We will use the state's purchasing power to support our local industries by giving them direct access to credit and providing a market for their produce." On the creation' of the Western Corridor Development Authority, the PPP asked: "How many; Development Authorities do we want to establish as a' country? Whilst the president bemoaned the unnecessary bureaucracy in the public sector, he continues to support the creation of different institutions to deal with the one issue of equal development in all the regions and sections of Ghana." The PPP emphasised the need to have a policy to build first class inter-regional highways to link all 10 regional capitals." This, the statement stressed can be done by the Ministry of Roads and the Department of Highways. "The judicious use of the District Assembly Common Fund by ensuring accountability at the grassroots level with the direct election of the MMDCE's by the people can guarantee development at the local level and reduce poverty instead of creating duplication institutions that compounds inefficiencies in government." It stressed that "a vote for PPP is a vote for Incorruptible Leadership, Education, Healthcare and JOBS! Our Agenda for Change is Built on these Four Pillars. We are the only party with the incorruptible, competent team necessary to deliver incorruptible leadership, improved Education and Healthcare and thousands of Jobs desperately needed by our youth.